Message of the Commission on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

On the occasion of March 21, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Commission calls on Québec leaders to redouble their efforts to a more inclusive society.“This year's theme, The Role of Leaders in Combatting Racism and Racial Discrimination, is a reminder that our leaders can, and must act to counter racism, xenophobia and intolerance,” said today the Commission President, Jacques Frémont.

Montréal, March 21, 2014 – On the occasion of March 21, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse calls on Québec leaders to redouble their efforts to a more inclusive society.

“This year's theme, chosen by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, The Role of Leaders in Combatting Racism and Racial Discrimination, is a reminder that our leaders can, and must act to counter racism, xenophobia and intolerance,” said today the Commission President, Jacques Frémont.

“At a time when we are witnessing increasing intolerance and with a recent poll disclosing that half of Quebeckers have a negative perception of Arabs, it is up to all of us to do more to combat stereotypes and exclusion,” he stated.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21^st to commemorate the Sharpeville massacre. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people demonstrating peacefully against the apartheid "pass laws" in South Africa. Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the UN called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

March 21^st also marks the first day of Action Week Against Racism This link redirects you to an external website in a new window. . The theme of this year’s week, which has been celebrated for the past 15 years in Québec, is Diversity, an Antidote to Racism.